To Make You Think

To Make You Think

Guy Montag is a fireman who burns books in a futuristic American city. In Montag’s world, firemen start fires rather than put them out.

The people in his society do not read books, enjoy nature, spend time by themselves, think independently, or have meaningful conversations.

Instead, they drive very fast, watch excessive amounts of television on wall-size sets, and listen to the radio on “Seashell Radio” sets attached to their ears.

Sounding familiar yet?

Ray Bradbury was prescient. He wrote "Fahrenheit 451" SIXTY years ago! He wrote it to warn us about totalitarianism... "Big Brother"-style government.

Most people don't read books anymore when you look at the population as a whole.

Most people don't enjoy nature or spend time by themselves.

Only a very few think independently.

Have you heard a meaningful conversation lately?

Lots of people do drive too fast and watch way too much tv on big-screen, wall-size sets.

And an ipod isn't too far different from a Seashell Radio set that attaches to your ears, is it?

By the way, Fahrenheit 451, according to the author, is “the temperature at which book-paper catches fire, and burns.”

I think I'm going to be sick.